In order to publish and introduce Shia centers around the world, AhluBayt (a.s.) News Agency (ABNA24.com) has arranged an exclusive interview with Mrs. Zahra Abidi, the director and founder of the Shia Center in Seattle, Washington State, US. The full text of the interview is as follows:
ABNA: Salam Alaykum, thanks for your participation in our interview. Hope your interview will make the Shia Muslims around the world knowing more about your center in Seattle.
PART I
1. Please introduce yourself and state your responsibility in the center:
- Which languages can you speak
- If you have a special activity such as authoring, translating, etc., explain it please;
Answer: My name is Zahra Abidi. I am the president and founder of Hussainiya Islamic society, a Shia center in Seattle, Washington State, US. I hail from Pakistan and came to the US for higher education (MBA). I am married with two kids. I speak English and Urdu.
As a young mother, I was very concerned about raising my kids in the West. I therefore became active at an Islamic center so my kids could be nourished in an Islamic setting. I later founded Hussainiya to create a space where we could worship freely and maintain our cultural heritage while also strengthening ties with our non-Muslim neighbors. This is crucial for our continued existence and that of our future generations.
2. Please introduce the center and describe its activities:
- Date of establishment and founders - Objectives of the establishment
- Problems and obstacles
Answer: Hussainiya was established in 2018 by a 4 people with the objective to build a Mosque/ community center that will meet the spiritual, cultural and social needs of Shia Muslims as well as be a resource for non-Muslims who want to learn about Islam. One of our main objectives is to educate the western public on Imam Hussain (as) and the tragedy of Karbala.
Our programs are primarily for the Shia community so they can find a halal environment that meets their social, cultural, spiritual and educational needs.
The organization is however open to all cultures and faiths and meets this need by holding majority of its programs in English. We also hold various interfaith events which are well attended.
Alhamdulilah, in 2019 we bought a 5.5-acre property to build our Masjid. The Hussainiya community has been growing rapidly comprising largely of men and women in 20s and 30s. In the past 5 years we have increased from mere 10-15 people to about 250 (past Ashura).
ABNA: Salam Alaykum, thanks for your participation in our interview. Hope your interview will make the Shia Muslims around the world knowing more about your center in Seattle.
PART I
1. Please introduce yourself and state your responsibility in the center:
- Which languages can you speak
- If you have a special activity such as authoring, translating, etc., explain it please;
Answer: My name is Zahra Abidi. I am the president and founder of Hussainiya Islamic society, a Shia center in Seattle, Washington State, US. I hail from Pakistan and came to the US for higher education (MBA). I am married with two kids. I speak English and Urdu.
As a young mother, I was very concerned about raising my kids in the West. I therefore became active at an Islamic center so my kids could be nourished in an Islamic setting. I later founded Hussainiya to create a space where we could worship freely and maintain our cultural heritage while also strengthening ties with our non-Muslim neighbors. This is crucial for our continued existence and that of our future generations.
2. Please introduce the center and describe its activities:
- Date of establishment and founders - Objectives of the establishment
- Problems and obstacles
Answer: Hussainiya was established in 2018 by a 4 people with the objective to build a Mosque/ community center that will meet the spiritual, cultural and social needs of Shia Muslims as well as be a resource for non-Muslims who want to learn about Islam. One of our main objectives is to educate the western public on Imam Hussain (as) and the tragedy of Karbala.
Our programs are primarily for the Shia community so they can find a halal environment that meets their social, cultural, spiritual and educational needs.
The organization is however open to all cultures and faiths and meets this need by holding majority of its programs in English. We also hold various interfaith events which are well attended.
Alhamdulilah, in 2019 we bought a 5.5-acre property to build our Masjid. The Hussainiya community has been growing rapidly comprising largely of men and women in 20s and 30s. In the past 5 years we have increased from mere 10-15 people to about 250 (past Ashura).
Hussainiya of Seattle
3. Please explain political or cultural activities of the center
such as Quran courses - holding various events and programs for Ahl
al-Bayt (pbuh), including Muharram mourning, Ghadir, commemorating
special days and personalities such as Quds Day, Imam Khomeini, Martyr
Soleimani and... various courses, meetings and weekly ceremonies,
attendance at meetings and conferences, including at universities and
other scientific centers, etc.
Answer: We hold weekly Dua Kumayl programs, Ramadan programs, Eid celebration, special programs to mark the birth and death ceremonies of 14 Masumeen (as), as well as historical events like Ghadeer and Mubahalah. Muharram is a major observance when we commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as) and his companions.
Interfaith Activities:
In the west, it is very important for Islamic organization to be cognizant of the political challenges they face and the need to play an active role in promoting harmony and goodwill. This is especially true when millions of dollars are being spent in the effort to tarnish Islam. It is also crucial to work with other denominations of Islam and create strong friendly ties.
Hussainiya has held the following programs since inception in 2018:
· Two major Husain (as) day Interfaith conferences which were well attended by elected officials and members of various faiths. Guest speakers included Christian pastors, Jewish rabbi, Buddhist scholar, and Sunni and Shia Imams.
· Annual interfaith Eid ul Adha Party, inviting elected officials and Christian and Jewish scholars, to highlight the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (as). The purpose is to bring together the members of the 3 Abrahamic faiths as they share the same traditions. These festive Eid functions are well attended by neighbors and members of various faith groups.
· Annual Shiah-Sunni unity Mawlid an-Nabi event inviting Shia and Sunni scholars. The program consists of Naat, poetry, speeches and unity Salah (Namaz/prayer). Alhamdulilah more than half of the audience is from the Sunni community.
· For the past three years we have been taking out the Ashura and Arbaeen procession/ Walk. The walk is also attended by a few members of the Christian community.
· Successfully sent two Christian religious authorities to Karbala for the Arbaeen walk to help foster string ties. In 2018, we sent Pastor John Shuck of Presbyterian Church, Portland, and in 2022 we sent Director Northlake Lutheran Church, Seattle to Karbala for the Arbaeen walk.
· Jesus and Mary in Islam- A Christian – Muslim unity event held close to Christmas to stress upon the common theological narrative shared by the two faiths.
· Held Quds day Seminar at the University of Washington to throw light on the real issues that are not addressed by the media.
Answer: We hold weekly Dua Kumayl programs, Ramadan programs, Eid celebration, special programs to mark the birth and death ceremonies of 14 Masumeen (as), as well as historical events like Ghadeer and Mubahalah. Muharram is a major observance when we commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as) and his companions.
Interfaith Activities:
In the west, it is very important for Islamic organization to be cognizant of the political challenges they face and the need to play an active role in promoting harmony and goodwill. This is especially true when millions of dollars are being spent in the effort to tarnish Islam. It is also crucial to work with other denominations of Islam and create strong friendly ties.
Hussainiya has held the following programs since inception in 2018:
· Two major Husain (as) day Interfaith conferences which were well attended by elected officials and members of various faiths. Guest speakers included Christian pastors, Jewish rabbi, Buddhist scholar, and Sunni and Shia Imams.
· Annual interfaith Eid ul Adha Party, inviting elected officials and Christian and Jewish scholars, to highlight the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (as). The purpose is to bring together the members of the 3 Abrahamic faiths as they share the same traditions. These festive Eid functions are well attended by neighbors and members of various faith groups.
· Annual Shiah-Sunni unity Mawlid an-Nabi event inviting Shia and Sunni scholars. The program consists of Naat, poetry, speeches and unity Salah (Namaz/prayer). Alhamdulilah more than half of the audience is from the Sunni community.
· For the past three years we have been taking out the Ashura and Arbaeen procession/ Walk. The walk is also attended by a few members of the Christian community.
· Successfully sent two Christian religious authorities to Karbala for the Arbaeen walk to help foster string ties. In 2018, we sent Pastor John Shuck of Presbyterian Church, Portland, and in 2022 we sent Director Northlake Lutheran Church, Seattle to Karbala for the Arbaeen walk.
· Jesus and Mary in Islam- A Christian – Muslim unity event held close to Christmas to stress upon the common theological narrative shared by the two faiths.
· Held Quds day Seminar at the University of Washington to throw light on the real issues that are not addressed by the media.
4. How is your activity in social media to promote the school of Ahl al-Bayt (AS)? Do you basically use social media?
Answer: Our social media promotional activities utilize tools like Website, Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube and Instagram to promote our programs and Islamic events.
5. Does your center have any cultural productions - publication of books or magazines, etc.? Please explain.
Answer: In 2018 Hussainiya sponsored the entire trip of Pastor John Shuck of Southminster Presbyterian Church, Oregon and his cameraman, Josh Towsley, for the 3-Day Najaf and Karbala Arbaeen walk. Pastor Shuck produced a documentary “For Love of Hussain.” The documentary is available on social media and has received over a million views.
6. What is the activity of your center for women, children and youth?
Answer: Hussainiya of Seattle was founded by a woman and out of the 4 board members, 2 are women. In addition, there are women in all the organizational committees. Women are as much part of Hussainiya as men.
We currently don’t have programs based on gender and age, but inshaAllah we will be adding family camping programs next summer.
7. Which one of your activities has more effect? Explain.
Answer: The most crucial activity is sending non-Muslim religious scholars to Karbala. Arbaeen is a phenomenon that needs to be experienced and propagated to the world. The best is to have these clerics explain it to their people.
Hussainiya sent Pastor Shuck to experience the Arbaeen walk with his own camera man. He had never heard of Imam Hussain (as) until we spoke to him and invited him to participate in the walk. Pastor Shuck became a changed man after his Arbaeen experience and started promoting Shia Muslim-Christian unity. He had said about the Shia mourning “There is now hope for humanity. We must learn from Shia Muslims how to mourn together’. Unfortunately, he passed away due to COVID.
The other important activity is the Unity mawlid programs, emphasized by Imam Khomeini, that bring together the two major Muslim denominations and help foster friendship. Alhamdulilah there are more Sunnis than Shias in our programs. Unfortunately, this gesture of friendship is always one sided as only Shia centers arrange these unity events. Currently, we are the only Shia center arranging these unity events on a large sale.
Answer: Our social media promotional activities utilize tools like Website, Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube and Instagram to promote our programs and Islamic events.
5. Does your center have any cultural productions - publication of books or magazines, etc.? Please explain.
Answer: In 2018 Hussainiya sponsored the entire trip of Pastor John Shuck of Southminster Presbyterian Church, Oregon and his cameraman, Josh Towsley, for the 3-Day Najaf and Karbala Arbaeen walk. Pastor Shuck produced a documentary “For Love of Hussain.” The documentary is available on social media and has received over a million views.
6. What is the activity of your center for women, children and youth?
Answer: Hussainiya of Seattle was founded by a woman and out of the 4 board members, 2 are women. In addition, there are women in all the organizational committees. Women are as much part of Hussainiya as men.
We currently don’t have programs based on gender and age, but inshaAllah we will be adding family camping programs next summer.
7. Which one of your activities has more effect? Explain.
Answer: The most crucial activity is sending non-Muslim religious scholars to Karbala. Arbaeen is a phenomenon that needs to be experienced and propagated to the world. The best is to have these clerics explain it to their people.
Hussainiya sent Pastor Shuck to experience the Arbaeen walk with his own camera man. He had never heard of Imam Hussain (as) until we spoke to him and invited him to participate in the walk. Pastor Shuck became a changed man after his Arbaeen experience and started promoting Shia Muslim-Christian unity. He had said about the Shia mourning “There is now hope for humanity. We must learn from Shia Muslims how to mourn together’. Unfortunately, he passed away due to COVID.
The other important activity is the Unity mawlid programs, emphasized by Imam Khomeini, that bring together the two major Muslim denominations and help foster friendship. Alhamdulilah there are more Sunnis than Shias in our programs. Unfortunately, this gesture of friendship is always one sided as only Shia centers arrange these unity events. Currently, we are the only Shia center arranging these unity events on a large sale.
8. The situation of Muslims and Shiites in your area; such as
- Statistics - The number of mosques - Hussainiyas and ...
Answer: Muslims make up about roughly 1% of the US population. It is hard to say what the Shia population is. In the Seattle area there are about 7 Shia centers- 3 Iraqi, 1 Iranian and 3 Pakistani / Indian. The largest Shia population is that of the Iraqis, however, of their programs are in Arabic limiting them to the Arab population. The same goes for Iranian center. The Indo-Pak centers hold majority of their programs in English and are open to all ethnicities.
9. How is the government's interaction with Muslims, Shiites and vice versa, and in general with the propagation of religions, especially Islam?
Answer: We live in difficult times where being a Muslim is not easy, especially for our children. However, the situation is vastly improved since 9/11. Because of the political hostility against Iran, it is very likely, Shia face extra scrutiny when traveling for Ziyarat. However, Shias are quite free to observe their ritual rites and practice their faith without fear.
Hussainiya Islamic Society of Seattle invites elected officials to its major interfaith programs. We have invited the Sherriff, the congress and Senate representatives to our functions. We have invited the Governor of the state twice. These officials are generally very receptive and happy to attend these functions. There is a local chapter of the national organization CAIR (Council of American-Islamic Relations) that interacts with the government officials on religious, socials and political matters concerning Islam. Hussaynia invites CAIR president quite often.
10. How do other religions, especially Christianity, look at Shiites and how do they interact?
Answer: Most likely, Christians do not differentiate between Shias and Sunnis and Shia Muslims can do a lot to improve ties with their Christian neighbors.
Hussaynia currently rents a church while our property is under construction. We have excellent ties with the Church. They are often invited to our programs and vice versa. We also hold interfaith programs together. The Director of Worship was sent to Karbala last year and has actively participated in our Ashura ceremony.
11. What is the activity of Wahhabism and Salafis in your region (financial-political-cultural) and how much is the impact of their activities on the society?
Answer: The anti-Shiah sentiments cannot be denied. It is reported a good number of mosques are funded with Wahhabi monies. However, the political impact on the community in particular and society in general is very minimal.
12. What are your expectations from the Ahlul Bayt World Assembly and Ahl al-Bayt News Agency – Abna24 (give some explanations regarding the way of interaction and cooperation).
Answer: ABNA can be very helpful in giving us good coverage. We will be happy to send details and pictures/ videos.
- Statistics - The number of mosques - Hussainiyas and ...
Answer: Muslims make up about roughly 1% of the US population. It is hard to say what the Shia population is. In the Seattle area there are about 7 Shia centers- 3 Iraqi, 1 Iranian and 3 Pakistani / Indian. The largest Shia population is that of the Iraqis, however, of their programs are in Arabic limiting them to the Arab population. The same goes for Iranian center. The Indo-Pak centers hold majority of their programs in English and are open to all ethnicities.
9. How is the government's interaction with Muslims, Shiites and vice versa, and in general with the propagation of religions, especially Islam?
Answer: We live in difficult times where being a Muslim is not easy, especially for our children. However, the situation is vastly improved since 9/11. Because of the political hostility against Iran, it is very likely, Shia face extra scrutiny when traveling for Ziyarat. However, Shias are quite free to observe their ritual rites and practice their faith without fear.
Hussainiya Islamic Society of Seattle invites elected officials to its major interfaith programs. We have invited the Sherriff, the congress and Senate representatives to our functions. We have invited the Governor of the state twice. These officials are generally very receptive and happy to attend these functions. There is a local chapter of the national organization CAIR (Council of American-Islamic Relations) that interacts with the government officials on religious, socials and political matters concerning Islam. Hussaynia invites CAIR president quite often.
10. How do other religions, especially Christianity, look at Shiites and how do they interact?
Answer: Most likely, Christians do not differentiate between Shias and Sunnis and Shia Muslims can do a lot to improve ties with their Christian neighbors.
Hussaynia currently rents a church while our property is under construction. We have excellent ties with the Church. They are often invited to our programs and vice versa. We also hold interfaith programs together. The Director of Worship was sent to Karbala last year and has actively participated in our Ashura ceremony.
11. What is the activity of Wahhabism and Salafis in your region (financial-political-cultural) and how much is the impact of their activities on the society?
Answer: The anti-Shiah sentiments cannot be denied. It is reported a good number of mosques are funded with Wahhabi monies. However, the political impact on the community in particular and society in general is very minimal.
12. What are your expectations from the Ahlul Bayt World Assembly and Ahl al-Bayt News Agency – Abna24 (give some explanations regarding the way of interaction and cooperation).
Answer: ABNA can be very helpful in giving us good coverage. We will be happy to send details and pictures/ videos.
PART II
1. How is the presence of Shiites in your region in the Arbaeen procession? Express your spiritual feelings and observations of the great event of Arbaeen, also explain if you have a special experience or memory.
Answer: Arbaeen ceremony is a phenomenon. It is the only event when masses and masses of people, coming from every corner on earth, walk in one direction and have a single goal- reach their Imam(as) and the piece of land that once witnessed this immense sacrifice and tragedy for which there are no words. It’s a journey that is not made for reward or benefits but out of love. Only a Shia can understand the sentiments of another Shia. It’s a great feeling to be part of such a movement. This year when I am not going, and we are getting ready to take out our Arbaeen procession in Seattle, my heart is in Karbala and with my fellow community members who just left for Karbala.
Every year many Shia Muslims leave for Karbala from Seattle. I can’t say how many, but I would say about 10% of Seattle Shia go every year.
2. How is the presence of Shi'ites in your region in the Arbaeen procession? Does your center have a Mawkib there? If they have, explain about their activities and feelings in the Arbaeen.
Answer: I am aware of an Indian Mawkib that was established by one of our community members with the help of funds from Hussainiya. The Mawkib provides food and shelter and medical supplies. Hussainiya does not have a Mawkib but we will be very interested in starting one in the future.
Thank you for taking the time to interview for introducing your Shia center.
Ahlul Bayt News Agency
1445-2023
/129
1. How is the presence of Shiites in your region in the Arbaeen procession? Express your spiritual feelings and observations of the great event of Arbaeen, also explain if you have a special experience or memory.
Answer: Arbaeen ceremony is a phenomenon. It is the only event when masses and masses of people, coming from every corner on earth, walk in one direction and have a single goal- reach their Imam(as) and the piece of land that once witnessed this immense sacrifice and tragedy for which there are no words. It’s a journey that is not made for reward or benefits but out of love. Only a Shia can understand the sentiments of another Shia. It’s a great feeling to be part of such a movement. This year when I am not going, and we are getting ready to take out our Arbaeen procession in Seattle, my heart is in Karbala and with my fellow community members who just left for Karbala.
Every year many Shia Muslims leave for Karbala from Seattle. I can’t say how many, but I would say about 10% of Seattle Shia go every year.
2. How is the presence of Shi'ites in your region in the Arbaeen procession? Does your center have a Mawkib there? If they have, explain about their activities and feelings in the Arbaeen.
Answer: I am aware of an Indian Mawkib that was established by one of our community members with the help of funds from Hussainiya. The Mawkib provides food and shelter and medical supplies. Hussainiya does not have a Mawkib but we will be very interested in starting one in the future.
Thank you for taking the time to interview for introducing your Shia center.
Ahlul Bayt News Agency
1445-2023
/129